Portuguese PM declares state of emergency amid ongoing wildfires

Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has declared a state of emergency in the southwestern regions of the country severely affected by wildfires that have been raging since the past weekend.

The prime minister urged authorities to mobilize additional firefighters and public officials, and called on police investigators to intensify their efforts to locate those responsible for starting the fires, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

"We fully recognize that the difficult times are not yet over. We must continue giving everything we have and seeking help from our partners and friends to protect our people and property," the Portuguese prime minister stated.

Earlier, Portuguese police reported the arrest of seven men suspected of arson in recent days. The fire, which began in the southwestern region of Aveiro, has spread uncontrollably over more than 15,000 hectares, with over 100 active fire sites recorded. Portugal was devasted by massive fires in 2017 that killed over 120 people. Experts link the fires to both climate change and the abandonment of traditional farming and forestry professions that helped keep rural areas clear of underbrush that is now fuel for fires.

By Naila Huseynova